The New Orleans Saints find themselves in an intriguing position as they enter the season with one of the youngest quarterback rooms in the NFL. Second-round rookie Tyler Shough, 25, is a promising talent expected to compete for the starting role.
Meanwhile, Spencer Rattler, 24, leads the group in NFL experience with six starts under his belt, albeit without a win, and Jake Haener, 26, has just one career start. Adding to the mix is undrafted free agent Hunter Dekkers, 23, who brings an impressive junior college record to the table.
Head coach Kellen Moore, in his first year with the Saints, remains confident in the group’s potential, citing the coaching staff’s experience as a critical factor in helping the young QBs grow.
Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis has echoed Moore’s sentiments, expressing confidence in the team’s current veteran presence to guide the young QB room. Loomis, speaking at the Saints Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Tournament, acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized that the Saints’ schedule offers opportunities to prove themselves.
“Well, we don’t have any prime-time games so that’s what the league thinks of us, and that’s fine,” Loomis remarked. “There’s a lot about the schedule that I really like. We knew who we were going to play, (it was) just a matter of when and where and I kind of like the way it laid out.”
Loomis also highlighted how the Saints could use their absence from the prime-time schedule as motivation. “We’re used to playing in prime time over the years, but we had five wins last year, so we can’t really complain about it. We’ve got to go out and perform and earn those opportunities,” he added.
The lack of stability at quarterback last season, culminating in a 5-12 finish, was a major factor in the Saints’ current underdog status. With veteran Derek Carr announcing his retirement on May 10 after an injury-plagued 2024 season, the torch has now been passed to the younger generation.
Saints Current QB Room
Player
Age
NFL Starts
Career Completion %
Career TD-INT
Strengths
Weaknesses
Tyler Shough
25
0
N/A
N/A
Strong arm, good field vision
Durability, pressure response
Spencer Rattler
24
6
57.0%
4:5
NFL experience, eager competitor
Decision-making, accuracy
Jake Haener
26
1
46.2%
1:1
Development potential, resilience
Limited NFL success, inconsistency
Hunter Dekkers
23
0
N/A
N/A
Accurate passer, strong production in JUCO
Limited competition level, unproven in NFL
The free-agent market offers several intriguing options. Aaron Rodgers, though a costly choice at $37.5 million, would bring a wealth of experience and leadership to a young offense. Carson Wentz, still just 32, could be a low-cost option with starting experience and a high ceiling if utilized effectively.
Meanwhile, former Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, also 32, might be the best cultural fit, offering familiarity with the organization and a steady veteran presence at a reasonable price.
Veteran Free-Agent Options
Player
Age
Experience (Years)
2024 Salary
Strengths
Weaknesses
Aaron Rodgers
41
20
$37.5M
Leadership, elite skillset
Costly, nearing retirement
Carson Wentz
32
9
$3.3M
Strong arm, former MVP-caliber play
Inconsistency, durability
Teddy Bridgewater
32
10
$1.2M
Familiarity with Saints, steady presence
Limited ceiling as a starter
While Moore and Loomis are optimistic about developing their young quarterbacks, the NFL is an unforgiving league. Adding a seasoned veteran could provide not only insurance but also mentorship for the trio of young QBs vying for the starting role.
Whether the Saints choose to invest in a proven commodity like Rodgers or opt for a cost-effective solution in Wentz or Bridgewater, their decision will shape the trajectory of their season and playoff aspirations.
